Rev. Tara Faith Williams, M.Div.
Senior Pastor
Dedicated to facilitating the growth and evolution of all people, Tara Faith Williams’ body of work spans over a decade and includes multiple church staff roles, a successful business career, and community leadership. While Tara is a dedicated wife, mother, and Grand-T first, her true calling is evident when she holds a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart. Her ministry has touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, with its passionate, visionary, and purposeful approach. She is outspoken, fiery, transparent, truthful, and wise, embodying her favorite scripture, 'For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
Affectionately known as Pastor Tara, she uses conviction and straight talk to deliver her consistent message of love, forgiveness, and hope. She considers it a privilege to serve believers from every denomination and culture by helping them know the truths of Scripture and encouraging them to experience these truths practically through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Tara is known as a practical and effective leader. In her leadership approach, she embodies the essence of “servant.” She leads by doing and has been an essential mobilizer regarding social justice issues throughout Nashville, TN. Her commitment to social justice is unwavering; she is a member of the Nashville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), where she serves as President-Elect.
Her administrative gifts span the secular and sacred. As a Human Resource Employee Engagement Coordinator for the Facilities Business Operations Center at Vanderbilt University, she applies spiritual principles to help others see the bigger picture while focusing on the details that matter most. These gifts have been paramount in leading New Covenant through the reimagining process after a pastoral leadership change and a pandemic.
Pastor Tara became the first African American pastor of Bellevue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tenn., in June 2017 and led the congregation faithfully until August 2018, returning to her previous home church, New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) in Nashville, TN, as the Executive Pastor. On February 21, 2021, New Covenant Christian Church called Pastor Tara to serve as the Interim Senior Pastor. Nineteen months later, on September 1, 2022, she joyfully became the Senior Pastor and was installed as New Covenant’s 14th Senior Pastor on March 12, 2023.
Pastor Tara's academic achievements are a testament to her dedication to learning and growth. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary. In conjunction with her studies at Vanderbilt, Pastor Tara holds the Kelly Miller Smith Institute’s (KMSI) Certificate in Black Church Studies, a program built to support students who desire to expand their knowledge and appreciation of the historical, theological, and liberating praxis dimensions of the Black Church tradition.
She has been married for 31 years to her covering, best friend, and partner in ministry and life, Anthony “Chan” Williams, Sr. Their blessed love produced the fruit of five beautiful children: Anthony Jr., Aleigha, Amir, Audreona, and their son, Alijah who went home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2018. Alijah gifted them their only grandson, Santana Cai. In 2024, God added to their gift of grandchildren Raya Lennox and Aubrianna Caisee. She is excitedly awaiting the arrival of twins in 2025.
Pastor Tara firmly believes, “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (Proverbs 11:25) Not only does she believe it, she lives it!
Affectionately known as Pastor Tara, she uses conviction and straight talk to deliver her consistent message of love, forgiveness, and hope. She considers it a privilege to serve believers from every denomination and culture by helping them know the truths of Scripture and encouraging them to experience these truths practically through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Tara is known as a practical and effective leader. In her leadership approach, she embodies the essence of “servant.” She leads by doing and has been an essential mobilizer regarding social justice issues throughout Nashville, TN. Her commitment to social justice is unwavering; she is a member of the Nashville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), where she serves as President-Elect.
Her administrative gifts span the secular and sacred. As a Human Resource Employee Engagement Coordinator for the Facilities Business Operations Center at Vanderbilt University, she applies spiritual principles to help others see the bigger picture while focusing on the details that matter most. These gifts have been paramount in leading New Covenant through the reimagining process after a pastoral leadership change and a pandemic.
Pastor Tara became the first African American pastor of Bellevue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tenn., in June 2017 and led the congregation faithfully until August 2018, returning to her previous home church, New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) in Nashville, TN, as the Executive Pastor. On February 21, 2021, New Covenant Christian Church called Pastor Tara to serve as the Interim Senior Pastor. Nineteen months later, on September 1, 2022, she joyfully became the Senior Pastor and was installed as New Covenant’s 14th Senior Pastor on March 12, 2023.
Pastor Tara's academic achievements are a testament to her dedication to learning and growth. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary. In conjunction with her studies at Vanderbilt, Pastor Tara holds the Kelly Miller Smith Institute’s (KMSI) Certificate in Black Church Studies, a program built to support students who desire to expand their knowledge and appreciation of the historical, theological, and liberating praxis dimensions of the Black Church tradition.
She has been married for 31 years to her covering, best friend, and partner in ministry and life, Anthony “Chan” Williams, Sr. Their blessed love produced the fruit of five beautiful children: Anthony Jr., Aleigha, Amir, Audreona, and their son, Alijah who went home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2018. Alijah gifted them their only grandson, Santana Cai. In 2024, God added to their gift of grandchildren Raya Lennox and Aubrianna Caisee. She is excitedly awaiting the arrival of twins in 2025.
Pastor Tara firmly believes, “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (Proverbs 11:25) Not only does she believe it, she lives it!
